B.A.III. (Hons.
POLITICAL SCIENCE
PAPER V: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
TOPIC: Role of Public Administration in
Developing Countries
Prepared by:
Aparajita,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Political Science,
G.J.College, Rambagh, Bihta.
Patliputra University.
Role of Public Administration in Developing Countries
Introduction:
Administration has been derived from the word ‘ministrare’ which means to serve or look
after. Administration means to govern the country. According to Woodrow Wilson,
“Public Administration is the systematic application of laws and public policies. The
developing countries are also known as Transitional, Emergent, Expectant, Less
Developed and Under Developed countries. The term developing is used because
underdevelopment is not permanent and there is always hope for development. Most of
the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America are included in this group of developing
countries. These countries have social and cultural disparities but they have certain things
in common. These countries have remained the colonies of the Western Europe and
subsequently their political system is based on the system of their political rulers. They
are telescoping the method of achievement. They have asiatic, feudal and capitalist mode
of production. Public Administration plays an important role in each and every aspect of
individual’s life and is an important instrument for development and making realistic
policies.
Features of Developing Countries
Mostly all developing countries were the colonies of the western European countries. So,
they have based their political system on the path of colonial rulers. These countries are
agrarian in structure with poor organisation and primitive technologies. These countries
suffer from illiteracy, low income, unemployment and poverty. Most of these countries
suffer from political instability. In these countries, capitalism rises, capital formation is in
dissolution and new one ready to replace the old one. There use to be set of officials or
administrators who used to control all political, cultural, religious, social and economic
policies. These countries suffer from violent conflicts because of disparities of tribal,
religions and ethnic groups. They mostly have mixed economy with Asiatic, feudal and
capitalist mode of production.
Role of Public Administration in Developing Countries
There was no development of social and economic forces at the time when it was
colonies of the western European countries. These countries suffered from social and
economic backwardness after their independence and the need for improvement was
required. Subsequently, the role of Public Administration as being ‘Government in
Action’ became very important for playing the development role. As a result, the role and
areas of Public Administration increased to large extent. The main concern of public
administration was on the ways to use the resources and skill for development and they
had to act as a ‘Champion of Development’. Therefore, in many countries, Planning
Commission was set up for development process.
Political Role
The political leaders are not considered capable and good at making pragmatic and
realistic policies. So, the Public Administration plays an important role in formulation of
policies for the development of countries.
Socio-Economic Role
There are many socio-economic roles of Public Administration.
i. Improving the well- being of the society.
ii. Removing poverty, diseases and social illness.
iii. Removing social and economic disparities and providing countries with
higher education and intensive training in many fields.
Role in Nation- Building
Public Administration has important role in nation building.
i. Building up institutions like public sectors and public corporation.
ii. Developing man power required for developing these institutions.
iii. Human development that is shifting the temperament and adjusting with
technological development.
Role in National Unity
Public Administration plays an important role in bringing about national unity among
people of different religious, linguistic and cultural disparities.
Role in Establishment of Democracy
Democratic values are neglected in these developing countries. Public Administration
plays an important role in developing and inculcating democratic feelings among the
people of these countries. It also acts as a channel of removing political struggle.
Leads to Political Socialisation
Public Administration leads to political socialization by regulating and aggregating
attitudes, values, norms, ideas and feelings among people towards political system
Helps in Establishment of Framework of Unified Polity
A unified polity can only be established through good public administration and
administrators.
Major Problems of Public Administration in Developing Countries
Lack of Requisite Skill
There is lack of trained expertise, development skills and technical resources which is
required for carrying out development process in developing countries.
Involvement in Non-Productive works
More emphasis on non-productive and non-development works as most of the
administrators look for their personal gain instead of public interest.
Lack of Development Administrators
There is lack of development administrators, lack of machines and modern
equipments and resources required for development which makes it difficult for the
public administrators to carry out development process.
Corruption
The practices of corruption, formalism and other ill practices become hurdles in the
work of public administrators in developing countries.
Nexus between the Politicians and Bureaucrats
It has been seen that there have been problems between bureaucrats and the
politicians in policy making and other functions related to administration. The
differences between the politician and bureaucrats lead to conflicts between them and
thus hindering the process of development.
Impact of Colonial Rulers
The impact of colonial rulers on public administrators can be seen as they only
thought about their status and not as the development process.
Conclusion
Public Administration plays an important role in development of a country both in
developing and developed countries. There is a need of socio- economic development
of the less developed countries. Public administration influences the person in each
and every stage of their life. It acts as an instrument of change and forces of
stabilization in society. One important thing is that Public administration should be
result-oriented; place-oriented; change oriented; time oriented and should be
committed to people. This will definitely bring about development in the society and
help developing countries in the process of development.
